Jan 26 06:24:11 108 PA - New Handsome Face in Town
From Chronicles
Jan 26 06:24:11 108 PA
TRADEWINDS COFFEE SHOP (note this page has been re-linked from a misfiled page)
It's early in the morning and sometimes having something done for you is better than doing it yourself. It also helps to see what other places offer to see what you might be able to use for her own business. She has a large muffin and a mug of a specialty tea that she hasn't tried yet. The mild chill from the outside not having quite fled from her memory as she settled in at a table.
Erica walks into the coffee shop in the early morning. She is bundled up in coats to keep out the winter cold. Erica takes a moment after entering to enjoy the warmer air that is in the shop before she walks up to the counter. She orders herself a pot of black tea and a pastry. After getting her order she turns to look around the coffee shop for a moment before moving to an empty table and taking a seat.
Indeed the early morning commuter would be a sad sight without the common coffee stop. Although on foot Rubidia fits into that category, especially if you've ever seen her 'jog'. Stepping into the shop she peels back the hood of her white body suit to reveal a new look for her, faint red hair in and entirely new style. She takes a moment to free its full length from the suit to drap behind her. Taking on slight curl and holding good body. Very well done hair indeed.
It seems to be a matter of timing and still slipping into the day that cause Sage to miss realizing one of her friends has arrived soon after her. The arrival of Rubidia does seem to draw her attention as she's settled at the table at that point. "Hey Rubidia." She comments as the other woman begins to extract the lengthy haair and offers a small smile that may hold some amusement.
Erica pours herself a cup of her warm tea before she notices a familiar face in the shop. She raises a hand to give Sage a little wave of greeting. Picking up her cup of tea she blows on it softly to cool the liquid. Her attention is turned to Rubidia at the other woman's entrance. After taking a quick sip of her tea she starts to cut up her pastry into smaller chunks.
Rubidia says, "Morning girls." Rubidia greets cheerfully as she moves to the counter to order a cup of earl grey. The simple drink is ready almost instantly so Rubidia is soon carrying it over to join Sage at her table. "How are you both this morning?" She asks, glancing between Sage and Erica with a warm expression. Uh oh, its a morning person.."
When she catches a motion out of the corner of her eye, Sage glances over to offer Erica a smile as well. She raises a hand to wave in response, "Hey..." She offers to Erica as well before looking back to Rubidia as she returns. "Its coming along." She replies, "Your's seems off to a good start." She adds with another small smile.
Erica is a little blurry eyed from waking up this morning. She apparently isn't the best morning person, but she is trying to make due. She shrugs her shoulders at the question and offers Rubidia a little smile. "I am doing well. I'll be a little better after this pot of tea to wake me and warm me up."
Rubidia nods in agreement to Sage before smirking at Erica. "Need a morning run to wake you up. Especially in this cold air, I love it much better that summer runs. Winter air is so much more refreshing, and all day long. Gotta run really early or indoors for that in the summer." She comments as she helps herself to a chair, gently bobbing her tea bag up and down in her cup.
"I guess I'll respect you wanting a separate table then." Sage comments with a little amusement before looking back to Rubidia. "I jogged some on the way her myself." She comments, "Guess that might be why I'm a little better off than Erica." She gives a brief chuckle before she takes a piece off her muffin to munch on.
"Already had my morning run. I just need to kick start my brain now." Erica says with a little chuckle. "But I agree. I like the cold air much better then those hot sweltering summer runs. Much more refreshing." She takes a sip of her tea and then eats a little bit of her pastry.
Rubidia nods to both Erica and Sage. "Good for you both then. Always good to hear your friends are taking good care of themselves." She comments before reaching into her bag to offer two envelopes to Sage. "My nominations for your sweet heart sweepstakes." She explains as she passes them over. "Hope its ok to submit two."
Sage chuckles faintly, "Yes, its good to know we'll be healthy for another day or two." She comments before reaching out to take the envelopes. She raises a brow faintly, then nods to the comment. "That is fine." She assures before taking a quick peek within both. While she accepts one without question, she pauses at the second. "Might need help if one of these were selected, though." She comments, before tucking them both away. She smiles faintly, and shakes her head gently.
Erica raises an eyebrow as Rubidia passes Sage some envelopes. "Oh? What is this sweet heart sweepstakes?" She asks as she leans forward against the table and adopts a curious expression on her face.
Rubidia turns to Erica with a grin. "Sage is having a contest for her spa, you nominate however you feel most deserving of a free spa day." She explains before nodding slightly to Sage. "Either may if you think about it. But I'm sure we can find someone. Also, I'll sign up for your date auction under the condition that a perform and proceeds go to a good cause."
Even at this hour, there are people frequenting Tradewinds. Perhaps because they like coffee, perhaps because they're getting off shift from work, perhaps because they're just avoiding the weather. The mostly-glass door to the little coffee shop opens with the klingle of the bell whose sole purpose is to announce such things. It's open only for a moment, a man steps through, and the door is then closed before any significant amount of Missouri winter can intrude. The man is striking to all, men and women alike. The kind of man who takes your breath away as "Wow, that is one good-looking guy," regardless of your particular orientation. Just an aura of trustworthiness, helped along by the warm smile on his perfect face. Absolutely impeccable. The kind of man you'd really just like to sit down with and get to know better. He's wearing a very nice gray overcoat, open down the front, exposing an obviously expensive gray, pinstripe suit complete with vest and a white kerchief folded properly in his breast pocket. H is hair is dark and flowing slightly over shoulder-length, curled over in on itself at the end, but immaculately groomed, and nearly as shiny as his shoes of equal color. He has a dark mustache and half-goatee, and dark eyes, good brown eyes that round out his face. He carries a three-quarter-length cane in his hands, softly twirly to describe the shape of a cone with its base on the ground. Glistening silver knobs on either end with one curved handle, and a smooth black finish in between. When he speaks, it is with a well-educated, high-society British accent, but speaking as a friend, not as anyone's better. He just happens to have nicer clothes. "Good morning, everyone. The morning hour is always a good one to be awake, wouldn't you say?" The whole room is addressed as he approaches the counter and orders a very detailed drink that doesn't actually appear on the menu.
When Rubidia explains the sweepstakes, Sage offers a nod to that comment. "Yes, I figured it would draw interest and good publicity." She comments, not being entirely self-less in this endeavour. "I wonder if I should submit my own entry or two." She muses before shrugging before looking back to Rubidia. "Of course, with all the refugees we're been getting, I think the proceeds would be best directed towards the soup kitchens and aid stations we have." She comments, "Unless you'd have a preferred good cause?" She asks, then trails off as she about to take another piece of her muffin as a man that defies her normal opinion and she leaves the muffin half way to its destination. She stares for a moment before taking another moment to collect herself. "Yes." She says simply.
"A date auction as well? That should be a lot of fun. Who all is being auctioned?" Erica says with a little giggle. At the entrance of the good looking man she turns her head and looks at him. She gives him an up and down look. After obviously checking him out she licks her lips quickly before taking a sip of her hot tea. She bites down on her lower lip as she watches the new arrival out of the corner of her eye while still looking at Sage and Rubidia mostly.
"Nope that will do fine." Rubidia agrees with Sage before following her gaze to the large hunk of man meat that has joined them in the coffee shop. With a wide grin she glances at both Sage and Erica to confirm their momentary hesitance before nodding abruptly. "I call dibs." She claims before rising from her seat to go great the fellow. "Hey there handsome, where are the guards?" She asks with an impish grin. Back at the table her tea steams and steeps, alone and forgotten.
The well-put-together man turns gently, holding a saucer and cup in his hands. His face is inquisitive, and offers of a bright, sunshine smile of perfect teeth to Rubidia. "Now why would I want guards to protect me someone such as yourself? It's good to meet you, even if it is here near the cash register of a coffee shop." He then sets the saucer and cup back on the counter, depositing credits and a nice tip - not an offensively large tip, just a nice tip - near it. Reaching for Rubidia's hand, he bows slightly and introduces himself. "My name is Grea. Daryus Grea, and I have no idea how I've not noticed you before now."
When Rubidia decides to take the lead, Sage considers briefly before nodding and popping the piece of muffin into her mouth. Perhaps not trusting what she would say at the moment. she turns her attention to the scene in progress. She makes a soft noise of amusement at the question, before she quiets down to finish off the muffin bit. She seems content to watch the man for the time being.
Erica laughs softly to herself as Rubidia calls dibs. She watches the conversation between Daryus and Rubidia out of the corner of her eye as she moves her tea and pastry over to Sage's table so she can get a better view and maybe give some commentary with Sage. Eating a piece of her pastry she sits back to enjoy the show.
"Not for me, of course not. For all the other girls silly." Rubidia replies, being openly flirtatious before giving a shrug. "Probably because you're new in town, I do have posters all arou8nd after all. And i'm not nearly as noticeable as I'm capable of being. But you know, too much of a good thing."
Grae nods his head. "Yes, I'm afraid that business does keep me busy, and I am fairly new. Going on two months now." He smiles again and offers up a friendly wink. "You have posters?" He pulls back and looks Rubidia up and down - not leering, but obviously taking her in. "You must be a dancer? Classical ballet? Fine features become you, m'lady. What's your professional name? I assume that you have a professional and separate friendly name?" He briefly looks past Rubidia's shoulder. "I'm terribly sorry, am I interrupting a quiet moment?" Releasing her hand, he reaches back for his saucer and cup. "Someday I must come up for a name for this drink."
Within the early hours of morning in the coffeeshop there is a rather attractive man drawing attention from the people within the place. Even some of the men are stealing glances at the man known as Grae. Standing near the man is Rubidia seemingly offering the leading role for the women in the flirting department. Sage and Erica are seated at their respective tables for the time being.
Sage herself is watching the man and now Rubidia as well. She clears her throat when the man asks about a quiet moment. "No... not at all." She comments before pursing her lips, "Although, perhaps you'd be interested in taking part in a silent date auction for the good cause of helping the refugees that have come here?" She asks, sounding a little hopeful. Whether for herself or not is any one's guess.
Erica offers the man a sly grin as she picks at her pastry. "Oh yes you should definitely be part of the date auction." She offers to Grae before turning to Sage, grinning and offering the other woman a quick conspiring wink. "If you want you can join us." She says to Grae as she nods at an empty chair at the table.
For a performer, Rubidia doesnt actually look off put quite yet. "Well they are out of date now, In them I have blue hair. and I'm going for a new look." She explains, combing her hand through her light red hair. "As for my name, its Rubidia, the beauty who cannot be seen. Nice to meet you Daryus. Two months? What brings you here?" She asks, leading him back to the table, her posture nearly possessive.
"Thank you, m'lady, I'd be delighted." Daryus addresses to Erica, and offers Rubidia a crooked-arm to escort her over to the table, waiting for her to be seated before assisting her in pushing her chair in. All the while saying, "Blue hair, you say? Well, this color definitely becomes you, Rubidia - the beauty who cannot be seen. What language is that from, I'm not familiar with it?" A short pause, then "Yes, I can see how you must be a fine performer. Myself?" He will slowly settle himself into the available seat, resting his cane against one of its arms, and setting saucer on the table before him. "I'm here on business, but perhaps thinking of moving permanently. Just renting a place for the moment. I dabble in rare antiquities. But this truly is a fine city. Much nicer than others I've seen." He turns then to Erica. "Mine name, again, is Daryus. Might I have yours?"
There is something quietly, humbly glorious in the work that involves hands. Oh, Lev's shoulders were tired from hours of shoveling the detritus of the city into neat piles on the back of a cart, and his jumpsuit smelled of sweat, but he had accomplished some small bit of good today. As the priest of his boyhood once said, 'Where man could not move a mountain, he simply took a pebble every time he visited'. The heavy and bearded Russian may not be a good fit for the tiny coffee shop that he stopped nearby, but liquids were needed - and his minuscule credit was as good here as elsewhere in the city. After hobbling the wheels of his cart - for he'd never hobble his horse - Lev adjusts the hammer upon his belt and moves his way inside. Sharp blue eyes take in the scene in a flash, and briefly rest on Grae. A slight tilt of the head, before he shakes it off. A simple and polite dip of his shaggy head is offered to the others, with his heavy voice. "Having good day."
And then the full-set fellow turns for the counter, uncertain of how one orders drinks in a coffee house. Hopefully, it'll involve no odd little social quirks!
The conspiratorial look meets with faint amusement from Sage before she notices the man is going to be joining the other table instead of her's. As a result, she gathers up her tea and muffin before moving over to slip into one of the empty chairs. Briefly she glances towards the new arrival, but the other man doesn't quite have the same appeal for the moment. "Well, that date auction would help you meet people around here. Its for a good cause and you wouldn't have to do anything you didn't want to..." She persists briefly.
Erica giggles softly as Daryus asks for her name. Her lips curve into a little smile before she says. "I am Erica. Nice to meet you Daryus." She picks up her mug of tea and takes a quick sip of it to buy a little time to compose herself better. She turns to Sage and nods her head in agreement. "Always good to give back. Help out those in need." She says to strengthen what Sage is saying as she smiles towards the other woman.
"Its Russian, but I'm Scottish.. My parents traveled alot." Rubidua explains as the true gentleman helps her retake her seat. "What about you? Daryus is not a very common name." She points out with a smile before taking a sip of her tea.
Grea's head nods in Erica's direction. "So nice to meet you, Erica. It's always good to make a fine acquaintance. But, Rubidia, my new performer," he says pleasantly, "Daryus is a family name. Honestly, I have no idea what its roots are. For all I know, it could be a random collection of syllables that some distant ancestor of mine found pleasant!" He laughs derisively at himself, temporarily disappearing as he tips his coffee mug toward himself. "I've never been to Asia, not met many people with Russian names or language. How very exotic of you," he says, wiggling his eyebrows up-and-down... and obviously as a good-natured joke, not actually being a lecherous man. The entrance of the man into the shop is noted - hard to miss the klingle of the bell - but he speaks softly to the women at his table. "Someone's being auctioned? Slavery for charity?" Another wink of humor.
Blue eyes sweep back to the 'Daryus', and watch with some curiosity as the women flock to this man. Oh, he was a fairly handsome person, even Lev could see that; But beyond that, he could not understand the appeal. Then Lev proceeds with the process of ordering something cheap and warm to add to his liquor, before moving to occupy the table recently abandoned by Sage..
Just in time to hear the word 'slavery'. Shaggy eyebrows raise, and the silent Russian SP-err, Janitor, listens a lot more carefully. After all, unless he's concentrating, most English just sounds like a bunch of sloppy vowels tossed together.
It seems she's just missed the introduction phase, but Sage manages to repress the impulse to blurt her name so that its out there. The last question from the man draws a raise eyebrow from her before she finally realizes the man's intent with the wink and chuckles. "No, no... nothing like that. Unless that's what the auctionee wants, of course." She comments before shrugging, "Anyone is free to volunteer or suggest someone to be invited to participate." She mentions, "It'll be around Valentine's Day."
Erica turns to look at Sage and gives her a sly little grin. "You are being auctioned as well aren't you? Because I think you owe me dinner." She says with a little giggle and a smile before turning her head to quickly glance at Lev as he sits down. Her attention turns back to her table quickly though.
Rubidia smirks at the banter between Erica and Sage and nods to Grea. "Oh, your family name precedes your name, like the Japanese. Good to know. Then again Grea isn't exactly a common name either." She points out with a coy smile before indulging in more of her tea.
"Grea? I suppose it does sound a bit Scottish if you say it with just the right accent, doesn't it? Grea. Grea. Grea? There we go," he smiles to Rubidia. "Put the brogue in it, and it sounds Scottish - not that I have any better idea about it than I do about Dariyus. But pardon me for a moment." The man turns to Sage. "I've been terribly rude, sitting here and chatting with your friends without even introducing myself. I'm Daryus, as you've probably gathered. I'd be delighted to offer myself up for temporary sale, assuming that it's for a good cause. The refugees perhaps? Terrible thing, Tolkeen and all. Of course, someone would need to want to spare the money to bid on me, and who am I to expect that, right?" His laugh is boisterous, and he extends a hand halfway across the table toward Sage. "Your name would be?"
Returning to the coffee shop that she had been to once before, the small Inuit woman is at least less hesitant to enter it. Pushing open the door, she takes a moment to just let the smells waft over her, which are enough to draw a little smile to her features, and then she pushes the door further open. Stepping within, she's followed by a larger than average polar bear. Monique pauses a distance within, taking a moment to look over those within, and after that initial glance over things, her attention returns to a man who is a stranger to her. She looks him over, from head to toe and back again, a larger than necessarily healthy measure of interest to the look. Tornaq looks them over as well, and he whuffs out a breath of air, rumbling softly. Lowering his nose to the nape of Monique's neck, where the hood attaches to her parka, he opens his mouth to clamp his sharp teeth on the fur of it, then lifts her off her feet. Even so, he still tries to eye her down the length of his nose, rumbling and grumbling as he does so. Let it not be said that Tornaq cannot communicate with his little shaman.
Well, the fellow certainly was talkative enough. Lev allowed a quiet smile to grace his lips, though it'd be hard to see under the cloud of shaggy beard, somewhat yellowed from nicotine stains. When his own coffee arrives - perfectly black - Lev pulls out a small flask of something potent, and pours a small dollop in. Before sharp blue eyes turn towards the newly opened door. And a small woman.
And a bear. "... Having bear behind you, small lady. Are knowing this?"
Sage offers a faintly amused look to Erica, "Not currently." She comments, "But, perhaps I should auction off pre-cooked meals too." She muses before smiling and shaking her head gently at her tease before looking back to the man to offer him a smile as he decides to make up for the earlier lack of introduction. "Nice to meet you, Daryus. I'm Sage." She offers before taking the man's hand to give it a reasonably firm handshake. Then she nods to the man, "Yes, the soup kitchens and aid stations for the Refugees." She comments, "And, I'm sure we could arrange a vote or two... might want to pay a visit during the auction to let people see you." She offers.
"Well I would like to see you in the auction." Erica says to Sage before she finishes off her mug of tea then turning back to Daryus. "It was nice to meet you Daryus, but I am afraid that I have to get going. I have a full schedule for the rest of the day." She says with a little smile. Turning to Rubidia she waves goodbye to the musician before she gathers her coats in preperation to go outside. "Bye everyone." She says as she makes her way to the door. The Inuit woman and the bear make her smile again as she gives Monique a little wave before she manages to squeeze past the bear to leave.
"See you at my next performance Erica." Rubidia bids at her friends departure. Before allowing a slight sigh as she realises time as always is universal. "My schedule is equally full, so i best move on it as well." She bids, starting to collect her self before she poses to lock eyes with Daryus. "I will catch you later." She states.
"Sage? Like the spice, or the wisdom?" Daryus seems genuinely interested, shaking the woman's hand in turn, before allowing his own to retreat and lift his coffee mug once again. Erica's quick departure hastens him rather awkwardly to his feet, one bit of obvious imperfection this morning. "Erica, good to meet you," probably goes mostly unnoticed, but it needed to be said - and seems heartfelt as well. Standing and watching Erica depart, he can't help but miss a short young woman being held off the ground via an over-sized polar bear's maw clasped to her parka. His face certainly registers the expression, "Well that's odd." Not shocked or taken aback, no he seems to be quite the cool customer. Just a heavy version of passing interest. Then Rubidia. "Oh goodness, I'm sorry, I'm not chasing you off, am I? Hate to be the third wheel. Or fourth, I suppose. In any case, good luck to your, Rubidia. I hope to see a performance one of these days! I'll be sure to look out for your posters." He remains standing until the two women have departed.
The bear's rumblings continue, and he gives only one physical enhancement to his apparent scolding of her, and that's to give her a light shake. This makes her windmill her arms a bit, and she turns her head to look up at the great white bear who is many things to her. A glance is given to the man who asks a question of her, and she gives a small nod. "Yes. Know bear. He with always," she says softly. A little wave is given in return to Erica, as the woman passes by. Monique's attention returns to the great white bear, and she grumbles under her breath in her native Inuit language, eying what she can see of him from her particular vantage point. Still, though, the great white bear doesn't put her back to her feet, remaining persistent despite whatever arguments she may have offered to regain her freedom. It seems a long moment passes before he does finally return her to her feet, but he keeps his teeth closed on her parka.
"A little of both, I suspect." Sage replies to the man with a little amusement before she turns her attention to her departing friends. A brief pursing of her lips coming to the comment about wanting to see her in the auction, "I guess I'll consider that a suggestion to invite myself then." She comments before looking to Rubidia. "Take care.. both of you." She comments with another glance to Erica. Then she glances back to the man, before pursing her lips as she considers whether she will need to head off as well.
There was a moment - a quiet, tense moment which most people would miss - where Lev had almost stood up to defend the small woman. But the bear was large. If it meant to hurt or kill her, it would have done it a long time ago - and, most important of all, -no one else in the store seemed concerned-. Now, it may have been callousness born of the strange juxtaposition of bizarre and normalcy that is Kingsdale, but Lev withheld judgment for a moment. His patience seemed wise, as the woman explains her relationship.
"Da, dis am seeing. Is having very strange way to be with you, small lady, dis bear." The large man laughs, a booming sound, but brief. Then sips at a coffee hardened with vodka, wincing softly; Good for warming the soul, as long as it was taken in moderation.
Daryus smiles at the rather scraggly bearded man and offers him a polite, "Hello," before resuming his seat. He picks up his saucer and cup, goes to sip - pauses.. eyes glance over to Sage.. saucer is set back on the table. "Are you Sage as in 'Sage Alternatives?' The new spa? Or is that just a coincidence. Obviously, sage can mean many things, so perhaps I'm just reading things into other things that don't deserve it."
At least she's got her feet beneath her, even if she isn't entirely free. The great white bear eyes her for a moment longer, then finally does release the parka, though he nudges her shoulder with his nose as though to reinforce that he could do it again easily. Monique lifts a hand to lightly touch his nose, looking up at the great white bear and giving a small nod. She can accept that. Looking to Lev, she gives a nod to him which comes paired to a smile. "Yes, is strange. Stranger sometimes. Travel together many years," she says softly, sounding familiar with the bear's quirks. The bear whuffs a breath and noses a little around her hands, merely because he can, and the small shaman lightly rubs the black leather of his nose. She still hasn't moved further within the room, though she's perhaps giving it some greater consideration now that she has her feet beneath her.
Sage gives a soft chuckle to the question, "Yes, that would be me." She replies, "I figured it fit and hinted at the owner." She nods, "But, don't let me keep you all to myself, please feel free to socialize around with others." She comments, before finally glancing to notice Monique having arrived. "Hey Monique." She offers, before glancing towards the man she speaks with. "Hey." She offers simply before raising her mug to drain the last of her tea.
The big Russian - though no where near actual bear-sized - nods his head somberly at Monique's explanation, and needing no other. Sometimes, people have weird pets. Or weird habits. All you can do is nod and move forth. The hard coffee is half-drained, small blotches blooming across what's left of the Russian's face between beard and hair, before he turns to face the conversation he had been impolitely eavesdropping on this entire time.
"Eh, is not being so full of crowd now. Is, maybe, to sit at same table and share space? Good for the strangers to becoming.." He pauses, trying to think of the right word, and settling for a lame half-form. ".. Not so strangers. Da?"
Grea's interest is piqued at the various potential meanings behind Sage's statement, but he simply smiles, and takes another sip of his coffee - or whatever that custom concoction is. Steaming hot though it may be, it seems to be quite satisfactory. He rises from his seat as proper to address another man, and waves the yet-unnamed Lev to the chair that Erica had recently vacated. "Please, sir. Pull up a chair, I'm making new acquaintances myself." When he's reseated, he turns around his his chair, head cranked around enough to look at the tiny Inuit girl. "Monique? How unusual a name for someone from, I assume, the cooler regions. Seems quite more cosmopolitan than I'd expect. My name is Grea. Daryus Grea," he introduces to himself to Monique, if she's listening.
Monique lifts a hand to offer a wave to Sage, which is accompanied by a smile, her dark eyes showing a bit of a sparkle. Her attention turns back to Lev, though, and one of her eyebrows quirks a little before she gives a nod. "Yes. Share space good for that. If not mind Tornaq come be near table, I share," she says, giving a small nod. It's always good to check before just sauntering over to join someone and bringing the polar bear along for the ride, so to speak. At Grea's words, though, her attention shifts to him, and she tilts her head slightly to one side. "Monique is name for here. Have other name, in North, given by People, by Elders," Monique says, her tone holding a thoughtful cast to it. "Nice to meet," she adds, giving a little nod to him.
The rest of the tea is followed by the last section of her muffin before Sage uses a napkin to briefly wipe the area around her mouth as a precaution. "It was nice meeting you again, but I think I'll make room for the others. I have some appointments to prepare for later on anyway." She comments before she begins to rise from her own seat.
Lev - rather than waste motion getting up just to sit down again - supports enough weight on his legs to spin about, and straddle the chair backwards. Careful not to damage it as he gulps his hard coffee again, wiping the back of a thick and calloused hand along his mouth. Noding at Sage when she departs, and turning those faded blue eyes to Grae - and Monique.
"Is being pleasure. Am being called Lev Dovator.." He considers adding more, but frankly he doesn't deserve the titles. "Am.. working with hands." He adds at last.
Grea rises again as Sage moves to depart. "Nice to meet you, Sage, I'll be by your spa, I'm sure, if for no other reason than to put my name in the hopper for the.. ah, date auction? Try to do my own small part to help those unfortunates out in the Camp. Terrible thing, that," he repeats.
Sage nods faintly with a small smile, "Of course." She replies before she nods to the others and begins to walk away from the table herself before gathering her coat and bundling up against the cold outside. She'll step out shortly thereafter.
Monique shifts her weight slightly, and then she starts to move, stepping towards where Lev is sitting. She draws out a chair, then settles onto it in cross-legged fashion. Tornaq remains near and standing, choosing not to let his guard down and settle too much. The small woman looks to Lev, and she gives a little nod. "Is nice meet you, too," she says to him, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She figures it likely that he'd picked up her name from the times it's been used. "What happen, in Camp?" she asks, curiosity to her voice.
Lev's beard shuffles briefly as he smiles aside at the Inuit woman, proffering - in true Russian form - his own nearly empty cup of hard, liquored coffee. Germs? What germs? "You.." he begins, glancing to Grea, and artificially dropping in the subjective word ".. is to be very popular, am noticing. Is cologne?" The upward twist of the edges of his mustache reveal his gentle teasing, before his eyes shift back to the bear. "Is eating lot, am thinking. Are loving it quite much, dis bear, Mon-eek."
Over at the other table, where Grea suddenly finds himself alone, the man rises, gathering his overcoat about him, picking up his cane and coffee. It seems as if he's about to turn things in, when an attractive young blond girl, probably early twenties bounces up to him, a flouncy skirt flowing around her legs, just above the knees. "Daryus! Where'd you go? I thought you'd left!" The man turns back toward the voice. "Lucie? Is that you, goodness I thought that your acting troupe had moved on! You're looking smashing as ever. Winter has been good to you." She wraps her arm around an outstretched crook, smiling all the way as he says, "Come on, my dear, let's see if we can't intrude ourselves into other conversation. Meet some new people. Fascinating morning, isn't it?" The young woman is quite taken with him, but seems to actually have some kind of relationship with him, not just a pacing fancy in a coffee shop. Arm-in-arm, the two start over toward Lev and Monique, and their table, and a giant polar bear, apparently.
As the cup of liquored coffee is offered, Monique offers a smile and a little nod, accepting it. She lifts it, taking a sip of it, then setting the mug on the table. Considering the flavour, even as it's swallowed. "Is what, in mug?" she asks, looking to the contents for a moment. She's never had coffee before. Or vodka, for that matter. "Oh, Tornaq not eat lot. But he help hunt, have fill when make kill. Tornaq good... love, respect - yes," she replies, giving a little nod, a smile touching her lips. The bear rumbles softly, lowering his nose to touch Monique's shoulder. He rumbles softly, one of his round ears turning towards Daryus and his lady companion.
Lev runs a calloused hand along his tangled beard, nodding his appreciation of the woman's sip. It was a polite gesture, and one he had not expected to be returned; People from frozen lands have similar customs, it seems. "Is coffee from here, am thinking, but.." Lev reaches into a side pocket, and pulls out the small flask, proffering it as well. ".. is to be adding de vodka. Good for soul, if in little pieces. Not so, in large." He smiles again, quite enjoying the quiet conversation, before Grea joins with his blonde lady! Lev blinks blue eyes, and leans back slightly - but his face is not unwelcoming."Ah, da, yes. Am to be sitting, please. Good for spirit, dis new faces."
The perfectly-coiffed man and his new female companion make there way through the short distance to the other table, talking quietly amongst themselves with laughter and smile as they go. Upon reaching the table, the man bows shortly and states in that clipped-yet-smooth accent, "Hello, m'lady, sir. Wonderful time to be out, isn't it? So few people about at this hour. My name is Grea, Daryius Grea, and this is my friend Lucie. Quite the little actress." He waves a gentle open palm toward two unoccupied chairs. "Would you mind if we joined you? Always fun to get more mouths talking, isn't it?" Lucie swiftly agrees with rapid bobbing of her head that makes her blond hair frizz up and down in its ponytail.
"Coffee?" Monique inquires, raising an eyebrow slightly and looking to Lev. There's curiosity in not just her voice, but to her features as well. Unfamiliar with the vodka as much as she was of the coffee, she does accept the offer of it. It takes her a moment to uncap it, taking a little sniff of it first before having a little sip. Germs? What germs? Monique doesn't believe in them, it would seem. She gives it another little curious sniff, then caps it and offers it back. She's trying to figure it out, since she's not had it before today. The great white bear gives a light rumble, nose touching to Monique's shoulder, and he tilts his head to one side.
Lev once again nods his approval of Monique's actions, before the flask is slipped back into a pocket on his jumpsuit; After all, he's a semi-civil servant. Alcohol in a hip flask is practically a tradition. His eyes flick back to the bear as it noses against Monique, apparently so well trained that civilization didn't bother it. And then his gaze slips over to Grea and companion, and he can't help another quiet smile at the man; While he isn't nearly as 'enraptured' as the females, the fellow was charming, and quite polite. "Da, da, is good, is good. Come. Sit. Are talking. Am being Lev Dovator.." He introduces himself again, as the man might not have heard before. After all, blondes can be distracting. With a mischievous little glint, he leans forward, and repeats his previous teasing. "Are being quite popular tonight, da? Is cologne?"
"Ah, a rare person around these parts who has a last name. Nice to meet you, Mr. Dovator." Daryus extends a hand in greeting. "Please don't take this the wrong way, I mean do offense, but by your accent and appearance, you would be visiting us all the way from Russia? As I said to the lady earlier, Rubidia, I've never had the pleasure of seeing Russia for myself. Lucie? We met about two months ago when I arrived here. 'Smart as a whip' as they say, and quite fetching." His free hand is wrapped around the girl's waist, and he gives it a gentle, friendly, social squeeze that makes her jump just slightly in surprise. Having given been at least partial permission, Grea and his companion seat themselves, with her clutching his arm and leaning her head on his shoulder. Not like lovers or intimate acquaintances, just very close friends. While his had remains outstretched toward Lev, Daryus turns to the small Inuit girl. "Monique, correct? That's quite bear of yours. I've never seen such a magnificent animal."
The conversation continues as each enjoys their coffee and finishes in turn, gradually fading away separately into the early-morning darkness, though Grea and Lucie walk off together.
